As of this week, Malaysians have to cough up RM300 to RM1,200 to renew damaged or missing passports.

The directive on the penalties is contained in the Fees (Passports and Visas) (Amendment) Order 2019 dated Dec 20, 2018.

The order, which was published on the official website of the Attorney-General's Chambers, was issued by chief secretary to the government Ismail Bakar.

Among others, the order requires that individuals who want to replace lost or damaged passports (valid for five years) for the first time to pay a fine of RM400, while children under 12 years and students of the age of 21 years and below studying abroad will be fined RM300.

For a second replacement, the same groups will be charged RM700 and RM600 respectively, and for a third, RM1,200 and RM1,100.

Last year, the Immigration Department recommended that the government impose penalties for passport replacements, as the number of individuals losing the document due to negligence was high.

- Bernama